At The Colloquium 2025, hosted by The Investment Society at the University of Lagos, thought leaders gathered to explore “Financing the Future & Rethinking Capital.” Among the standout voices was Oti Olentamhen, Investment Principal at Alitheia Capital, who shared ingsights on “Advancing Sustainable Development in Africa: Navigating Challenges and Leveraging Opportunities”.
Driving Impact Through Private Equity
Speaking from his wealth of experience in private equity, Oti shared how Alitheia Capital approaches investment with a dual focus: achieving financial returns and creating measurable social impact. Unlike traditional funds, Alitheia’s strategy goes beyond profit. Alitheia’s flagship fund, Alitheia IDF Fund, is a gender-lens fund, intentionally backing female-led, female-owned and ultimately, gender smart businesses.
“Beyond commercial returns, we are intentional about the kind of impact the companies we invest in make on society,” Oti emphasized. “We ask who’s leading these businesses, what diversity looks like within them, and how they are improving their environments and communities.”
Practical Impact in Action
Oti illustrated this approach through an example in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Alitheia’s portfolio company, Psaltry, a cassava processing business in on a mission to transform a rural community and redefine sustainable agribusiness. Prior to the investment, the host community in Iseyin, Oyo State had limited infrastructure, lacking both good roads, water and electricity. Through the company’s growth, over 10,000 smallholder farmers were integrated into the supply chain, and the factory transitioned from diesel power to solar energy and batteries, benefiting not only its operations but powering surrounding community as well.
With the development of road networks and other infrastructure, farmers are able to grow their profit and minimis loss on produce.
Mobilizing Capital for Change
Oti also shed light on the fundraising process for impact funds like Alitheia’s. The firm raises capital, working with development finance institutions (DFIs), family offices, and foundations that prioritize both financial and social returns. The key takeaway from his message: private equity and venture capital can and should serve as engines for positive change, especially in Africa, where sustainable development challenges and opportunities intersect.
A Call to Build Relationships
Closing his remarks, Oti offered practical advice to students and aspiring professionals: “Prioritize relationship building. Go beyond networking within your immediate circles, connect with people outside your environment and learn from them.” In today’s connected world, platforms like LinkedIn and other social networks make such interactions easier and more impactful.